For immediate release:

BLANTYRE MSP JOINS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SAFER INTERNET DAY

SNP MSP for Blantyre has joined the campaign to boost internet safety for young people – after pressure from SNP MSPs Kevin Stewart and Gillian Martin led to Snapchat removing primary schools from their search function.

Marking Safer Internet Day, local MSP Clare Haughey backed this action and called on Snapchat to go further and also remove secondary schools from its search tool – which allows strangers to find and watch videos from these locations.

And Ms Haughey is also encouraging pupils in Blantyre to take part in a nationwide film competition that aims to raise awareness of the dangers related to sending nude photos online.

Blantyre MSP Clare Haughey said:

“I appreciate the efforts made by my SNP MSP colleagues Gillian Martin and Kevin Stewart that have made Snapchat safer for children all over Blantyre and Scotland – and I hope that Snapchat go even further and remove secondary schools as well.

“Parents should speak with their children to make sure they know how to stay safe online and understand the risks of posting certain information – and I am glad to be involved in the campaign to raise awareness of this serious issue.

“The upcoming nationwide film competition is a great initiative that gives children across Blantyre the opportunity to engage with these dangers in a creative manner.

“We must all do what we can to help protect our children when it comes to their online activity.”

ENDS

Date published: 6th February 2018